Well, how did they do? The FCAT was last month and hopefully your child was at school to take the test and did well on it. Were your kids at all freaked out on the morning of the test? How about now, while they are waiting for their test scores? Have you asked yourself what this standardized test has to do with the education of your child?

The FCAT is the standardized test first developed because of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). For states to gain federal money they must show a specific score on the FCAT, as well as the Annual Yearly Progress of its students. If a state does not show improvement, they will receive less funding. In Florida, our school grades were originally based solely on those FCAT and AYP scores. If enough students in a school scored high enough on the test their school would earn additional funding and receive a better “grade.”

So, for the obvious reason of funding, your child’s school is concerned with their performance on standardized tests and not necessarily on the education your child is receiving. Some schools have done a fantastic job of combining the two … they have taught your child AND have done well on the tests. But not all schools have done that. Visit the state board of education (http://schoolgrades.fldoe.org/) and see what grade your child’s school has earned then ask yourself if they are truly teaching your child.

Starting this school year, schools will be graded on those standardized test scores, but also the attendance and discipline of students at the school. Schools still want money to survive so they will do what they can to encourage the “good” students who regularly attend school to do well on the standardized test. They may also do what they can to remove students that are not working towards that good discipline, good attendance, and good test scores. This may sound good if your child is one of the “good” ones, but what does it mean if your child is one of the “bad” ones? Think about it and don’t wait to get involved in your child’s school.

Mrs. Donovan